At Autodesk University (AU) 2024 in San Diego, California, the CAD giant doubled down on its data and BIM story, looking forward to the future of AEC and BIM.
The beta release of Autodesk Assistant in Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) enables users to ask questions about their specification documents. AI technologies are front and center at Autodesk, like most software companies these days, yet the landmark new digital technology is entering a more mature stage as companies like Autodesk learn how to develop specific and practical ways to make AI useful.
Outcome-Based Design
Autodesk continues to invest in its industry clouds, and when it comes to AECO, that industry cloud solution is Autodesk Forma. Forma, which began life as SpaceMaker.ai in Scandinavia, continues to deliver innovative early design-stage problem-solving for architects and developers alike. Its recent new developments have focused on sustainability goals in the industry and helping architects reach net zero in their design work or at least aiding them to understand their carbon footprint with buildings.
The award-winning Autodesk Forma continues to mature as a cloud-based platform with new embodied carbon features and a growing set of API-based integrations.
Autodesk says that they are building Forma to connect project data from various other applications, including from within Autodesk and from third-party solutions. Some of those third-party solutions may even come from market rivals with large arsenals of best-of-breed applications. Most large building projects are constructed using a vast array of software solutions that span the gamut from many of Autodesk’s leading AEC industry solutions to other solutions from the likes of Bentley, Nemetschek, and Trimble.
The key to unlocking value is unifying BIM workflows across teams that not only design and build the buildings but also operate them. Thus, digital twins technology has become a critical piece of the full spectrum of lifecycle software solutions.
Autodesk is pitching Autodesk Docs as a central hub that will connect, organize, and secure data across solutions like AutoCAD, Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC), Revit, Tandem, Civil 3D, and Autodesk Workshop XP.
Docs at the CDE
Autodesk Docs is shaping up to be Autodesk’s common data environment (CDE) with the inclusion of AEC Data Model API, which came out of the acquisition of Datum360. Autodesk is touting the new AEC Data Model API as a key to enabling granular data for Autodesk Docs users.
Autodesk Forma is now connected to Autodesk Docs, which is Autodesk’s AECO data repository. It is not clear at this stage how third-party solutions may connect to this data repository, but we do have third parties fully connected to Forma, such as applications like TestFit.
As for the Autodesk + Nemetschek API sharing agreement, in a private meeting ahead of AU 2024, Amy Bunszel, Executive Vice President, Architecture, Engineering, Construction Solutions, Autodesk, did tell this author that the fruits of that historic agreement with Nemetschek are still in the early stages and that most likely a large common customer with data interoperability needs not yet met will be a potential starting point for new solutions. Meanwhile, Graphisoft executives answered a similar question about the agreement, noting that the two companies (Autodesk and Nemetschek) are currently in the early stages of exploring possibilities.
The main point of the thrust of Autodesk’s clouds, APIs, and data organization story is that AECO workflows derive their greatest value and efficiencies through data interoperability and, of course, the data itself.
New Forma Board
A new solution coming out of the AU 2024 context is the Forma Board, powered by Autodesk Docs. This is a new whiteboard type of digital solution used for collaboration. Forma Board can import visuals from Autodesk Docs files.
Autodesk Forma Board a new solution powered by Autodesk Docs.
Over time, the Forma Board will do even more, but for now, it connects stakeholders to a live digital concept and centralized project data from which they can collaborate and conduct project reviews.
There is much more to report on AU 2024, and Akiko Ashley, our West Coast editor, has a large report in the works from her time at Autodesk University this year. So stay tuned.